Apparatus for printing with ink requiring activation



APPARATUS NOR PRINTING WITH INK' REQUIRING ACTIVATION Filed May 15',1959 Feb. 19, 1963 w. RrrzI-:RFE| D ETAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 N ,mi

'Jn ven fors IIN/1.2M Jr M Ws.

Feb. 19, 1963 w. RxTzERFELD ETAL 3,077,831

APPARATUS FOR PRINTING WITH INK REQUIRING ACTIVATION Filed May l5, 19596 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jnvenorfs Feb. 19, 1963 w. RITZERFELD ETAL 3,077,831

APPARATUS FOR PRINTING WITH INK REQUIRING ACTIVATION 6 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed May 15, 1959 s... n s...

Jn venors Feb. 19, 1963 w. RxTzERFELD ETAL 3,077,831

APPARATUS FOR PRINTING WITH INK REQUIRING ACTIVATION Filed May l5, 19596 Sheets-Sheet 4 MN AN mi 3 mm Feb. 19, 1963 Filed May 15. 1959 W.RITZERFELD ET AL APPARATUS FOR PRINTING WITH INK REQUIRING ACTIVATION 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 19, 1963 w. RITZERFELD ETAL 3,077,831

APPARATUS Fox PRINTING WITH INK REQUIRING ACTIVATION Filed May' v1.5,1959 s sheets-sheet e Jnvehors um @or i WIMP MPV-bq d itates a Thepresent invention relates to an apparatus for printing with inkrequiring activation, and more particularly to a duplicating apparatusin Which a printing form is used which contains an inl; or dye whichnormally Ywill not transfer any color but which upon chemical activationis made color `transferring so that imprints of the printing form can bemade oncopy sheets.

lt is one object ot the present invention to provide a printingapparatus permitting the use of a printing form which `can `bc handledby au operator providing a text on the printing form without soiling herhands or clothes. Another obiect o the present invention is to provideapparatus permitting use of a printing form which can be handled by theoperator of the printing machine Without soiling of his hands orclothes.

A further object of the present invention is a simple printing apparatusfor producing clear imprints on copy sheets.

A further object orr the present invention is a duplica*- ing machine inwhich a normally non-transferring printing form is chemically activatedafter attachment to a printing roller.

With these objects in view the present invention is concerned with aprinting machine which comprises a. rotary printing roller; attachingmeans for attaching to the peripheral surface oi the printing roller aprinting form containing inl; requiring activation, and applicatorrnc-ans for applying an activating agent to the printing form duringrotation of the printing roller.

The applicator means are movable to and from an operative position inclose proximity to the printing roller, so that the activating agent canbe applied to the printing form reiiminary revolutions of the printingroller, while the applicator means is retracted to an inoperativeposition during the printing operations, and is again tive betweenprinting operations when the init on t. e pr Ating form again needsactivation.

A modified embodiment ot' the apparatus of the present ention includessecond attaching means for attaching a cover sheet to the printingroller superimposed on the printing form, so that the activating agentcan be uniformly applied to the printing form through the cover sheet.

in this manner, the printing form is rendered init and color transf ringby an activating agent which is applied clore, bet leen, or duringprinting operations to the printing form. Such application is eitherdirect or indirect throu transferring mean .The activating vhich isapplied by the applicator means in accordance with the presentinvention, is allialine, aci'c, salts-containing and! or oxidizing.

the preferred arrangement of the present invention,

ln the embodiment of the present invention in which the activatingliquid is applied to the printing form by a transfer sheet covering theprinting form on the printing roller, `the cover sheet is moistenedeither from the rear or from the front. Alkaline, acidic,salt-containing arid/ or oxidizing substances are contained in the coversheet, or arranged in the same in the form of a layer super- 3,077,831Patented Feb. 19, 1963 ric imposed on the printing form. The cover sheetis then moistened by the applicator means With a neutral liquid toprovide a moist activating agent in the cover sheet which acts on theactivatable ink on the printing form. ln a modified arrangement, thecover sheet is untreated, and is moistened by an activating liquid agentduring one or several revolutions of the printing roller, so that theliquid activating agent passes through the cover sheet onto the printingform to activate the ink of the same.

A Vrotary duplicating machine including conventional moistening meansfor the copy sheets is provided in accordance with the present inventionwith applicator means which are movable to and from an operativeposition for applying an activating agent either to the printing form,or to a cover sheet covering the printing form.

One embodiment of the applicator means of the present invention includesa roller in contact with a liquid activating agent, and rolling on theprinting form, or on the cover sheet, during rotation of the printingroller. Another embodiment of the applicator means includes an absorbentpad in sliding contact with the printing form, or with the cover sheet,during rotation of the printing roller and being partly immersed in a'liquid activating agent.

One embodiment of an activating roller according to the presentinvention is in sliding contact with an absorbeut member containing theliquid activating agent in capillary channels. Another embodiment of theapplicator roller of the present invention is hollow and made of aporous material so that a liquid activating agent contained in thehollow roller passes to the surface of the roller which is in rotatingContact With the printing form.

ln the embodiment of the present invention in which a cover sheet isused for uniformly distributing the activating agent over the printingform, it is necessary to remove the cover` sheet `before the printingoperations are carried out. A stripper movable to and from an operativeposition in close proximity to the printing roller may be provided forstripping the cover sheet oil the printing form.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stripper meansincludes a suction roller, which grips the cover sheet by suction, andthen rotates to remove the cover sheet from the printing form. A controlcam means is preferably provided for releasing the attaching .meansholding the cover sheet when the same is to be removed by the strippermeans in a predetermined position `of the printing roller duringrotation of the same.

A particular advantage of the arrangement of the present inventionresides in that the copy sheet can be moistcned with liquids of neutralreaction, which are normally used during conventional duplicatingoperations. ln this manner, the same printing machine can be used forconventional duplicating operations using only a neutral liquid formoistening the copy sheets, and also for producing copies ofphotographic, chemically reacting printing for-ms Without requiringexchange or replacement of the standard tmoistening means.

Since in accordance with the present invention, a ncutral liquid is usedfor moistening the copy sheet, it is not necessary to provide moisteningdevices made of acidresistant material. In fact the entire machine, withthe exception of the applicator for the activating agent, need not bebuilt of acid-resistant material. When oxidizing agents or saltsolutions are used as activating liquids, it is even possible to useacid or alkali as copy liquids, which for the reasons given above havebeen found unsuitable for use in the known duplicating methods.

The following examples of a chemical reaction occurring in the 4methodof the present invention are given as illustrative only, the presentinvention is, however, not limited to the specilic `details of theexamples:

3 Example I A printing form having a layer of a silver halide emulsionof the self-reversing type, and whose layer further contains an onlyslightly colored, finely dispersed and water-insoluble dye-formingcompound, for example, the leuco base of malachite green, is exposedwith predominately yellow light in a reflex photo-copy device, using apositive original, for instance a drawing.

The development of the printing form and the oxidation of the leuco baseto the dye base are carried out in the special developing and oxidizingdevice which is independent of the duplicating machine. This procedureis more fully described in our co-pending application Serial No. 806,382led on April 14, 1959, and entitled, Method of Producing Copy.

Excess liquid is squeezed off before the printing form is attached tothe printing roller of the duplicating machine. The activating liquid,`for example, a 4% aqueous solution of formic acid, is provided in anapplicator device which is movable to and from a position for applyingthe aqueous solution of formic acid to the printing form, while themoistening device for the copy sheets contains a neutral-reacting copyliquid, such as alcohol. The printing roller is rotated, so that theapplicator moves along the printing form which is moistened with thediluted acid solution. Thereby, the non-colored and insoluble dye basewill be transformed into the strongly colored water and alcohol solubledye salt. The applicator for the activating agent is now moved to aninoperative position spaced from the printing form, so that the printingform can be successively brought into contact with copy sheets moistenedwith alcohol whereby imprints are produced on the copy sheets.

In this manner a great number of strongly colored copies are obtainedafter a single activation of the ink or dye in the printing form. Assoon as the color intensity of the printed copies weakens, theapplicator for the activating agent is moved again to its operativeposition to engage the printing form during one or several revolutionsof the printing form.

Example lI A printing foil of the type described in Example I andexposed as explained in Example I is developed and treated with acid,for instance, with a solution of sulfamic acid, in a developing devicewhich is independent and separated from the duplicating machine.

After squeezing off excess liquid, which cause dripping, the printingform is attached to the printing roller of the duplicating machine. Theapplicator means contains the activating liquid, for instance, a 1%aqueous potassium permanganate solution, and the moistening device forthe copy sheets contains a neutral reacting copy liquid, for examplealcohol. The applicator means is brought into contact with the printingform during several revolutions of the printing roller, so that theprinting form is moistened with the dilute oxidizing solution. Thereby,oxidization of the leuco compound to a dye base anddue to the presenceof acidimmediate transformation of the dye base into an effectivelydyeing water and alcohole soluble dye salt will be accomplished. Afterthe applicator means has been moved to its inoperative position spacedfrom the printing form, the printing form is imprinted on copy sheetsmoistened with a neutral copy liquid, such as alcohol. When the coloringpower of the ink weakens so that the imprints on the copy sheets arepale, the printing foil is again activated by moving the applicatormeans to its operative position engaging the printing form and applyingan activating agent to the same. A single revolution of the printingroller may be sufficient for this purpose.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accornpanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. l is a fragmentary cross sectional View illustrating a duplicatingmachine provided with an applicator for an activating liquid;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating a duplicatingmachine provided with a modified applicator for an activating liquid;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating a duplicatingmachine provided with a modified embodiment of the present invention forapplying the activating liquid;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating the embodimentof FIG. 3 in another operational position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary developed axial view illustrating the controlmeans provided in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4 for operating theapplicator means;

FIG. 6a is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating a modifiedconstruction of the applicator means for applying the activating liquidto a printing form; and

FIG. 6b is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating a furthermodified embodiment of the applicator means according to the presentinvention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 and FIG.5, a printing form or foil 1 is secured to the peripheral surface of aprinting roller 2 by an attaching means 3. Supporting means 20a arepivotally mounted on pivot means 20 and carry at one end a container 9,as also shown in FIG. 5. Container 9 is lled with an activating liquid7, and an absorbent body 8 is located in container 9 and in contact withan applicator roller 4 which in the operative position illustrated inFIG. 1 is in contact with the printing form 1.

The amount of activating liquid which is applied to roller 4 isdetermined by the pressure of a shiftable pressure member 10 mounted oncontainer 9 and operated by adjusting screws 11 which can be locked bynuts 12. Control cam means 13 including a plurality of cam discs aresecured to a sleeve 14 which is freely movable on shaft 15 on which theprinting roller 2 is fixed. Operating means 16 are mounted on the frameof the machine for shifting sleeve 14 in axial direction against theaction of spring 18 into an operative position in which a coupling pin113 on the cam means 13 projects into an opening 213 in a gear 313 whichis tixedly secured to the printer roller 2 for rotation with the same.

Cam means 13 cooperate with a cam follower roller 19 which is turnablymounted on supporting lever means 20a. In the inoperative position ofthe cam means 13, the applicator means 4 is in an inoperative positionretracted from the printing roller, but when operating means 16, 17 areactuated, cam means 13 effect through the cam follower roller 19movement of the applicator means to the operative position illustratedin FIG. 1 in which the applicator roller 4 rolls on the printing form 1during rotation of the printing roller to transfer the liquid activatingagent from the absorbent pad 8 to the printing form. Cam 13b is shapedin such a manner that the applicator means are retracted when theattaching means 3 for the printing form 1 pass the applicator rollerduring each revolution of the printing roller 2. As long as member 16 isactuated, the activating liquid is applied to the printing form, whichmay be done during one or during several revolutions of the printingroller 2.

When the applicator roller 4 has again returned to its inoperativeposition spaced from the printing roller and the printing form as forexample `shown in FIG. 3, copy sheets 21 are supplied to the printingplane B-C defined by the printing roller 2, and by the counter roller 27which is turnably mounted on a shaft 28. The copy sheets 21 are providedin a stack, and are fed by feeding means 22 which are operativelyconnected to the printing roller 2 to operate in synchronism with thesame. A pair of rotating transporting rollers 23 and 241 grip each fedcopy sheet 2.1 and move it over the support 26 to the printing line fromwhere the printed copy sheet passes to a receiving means 29 in which theprinted copy sheets are stacked. The transporting roller 24 is moistenedby moistening means 25 in a conventional manner, so that each copy sheetis moistened before coming into contact with the activated printingform. 1. In accordance with the present invention, the moistening liquidapplied by moistening means 25 is a neutral-reacting liquid such asalcohol.

As explained above, the printing form contains an ink which normallywill not transfer color to any substantial amount, unless activated bythe activating agent applied by the applicator roller 4.

The arrangement of FIG. 2 is similar to the embodimen of FIGS. 1 and 5.The printing roller 2 can be coupled in the manner shown in FIG. 5 tocontrol cam means which control the movement of the supporting means fora container 9 through a cam follower roller 19. A transfer roller 30,which preferably consists of an absorbent and slightly compressiblematerial is at least partly immersed in the activating liquid 7, andshaft 6 of the applicator roller 4 is spaced from the transfer rollersuch a distance that the transfer roller 34)' is slightly compressed andtransfers the activating liquid to the peripheral surface of theapplicator roller 4 from where the activating liquid is transferred tothe printing form 1 if the control cam means 13 a-re operated to holdapplicator roller 4 in an operative position in close proximity .withthe peripheral surface of the printing roller 2, so that applicatorroller 4 passes along the entire surface of the printing form 1 duringeach revolution of the printing roller. Copy sheets 21 are moistenedwith a neutral liquid by conventional moistening means 31 including anabsorbent pad. Moistened copy sheets passing through the printing linebetween counter pressure roller 2'7 and printing roller 2 with printingform 1, are imprinted by the activated ink in the printing form 1, andthen deposited on the receiving means Z9.

In the embodiment of FiG. 3 applicator means are provided whichcorrespond to the construction of FIG. 1, and are operated in the mannerdescribed with reference to FIG. 5. Cam follower roller 19 is controlledby control cam means 13 which are shiftable to and from an operativeposition, so that the applicator means including container 9, absorbentpad S, and applicator roller 4 can be shifted from the inoperativeposition shown in FIG. 3 to an operative position in close proximity tothe peripheral surface of the printing roller 2.

Feeding means 12 are again provided for shifting the uppermost copysheet of a stack to the transporting rollers 23 and 24 from which thecopy sheet over guide member 2d to the printing line between theprinting roller 2 and the counter roller 27. rransporting roller 25 isused as a moistening roller, and is moistened by a neutral liquidsupplied through moistening means 2S.

In the embodiment illustrated in FGS. 3 and 4, the applicator roller 4does not directly cooperate with the printing form, but applies theliquid in container g to a cover sheet 33 which is held by secondattaching means 32. The first attaching means 3' for the printing foil1, and the second attaching means 32 for the cover sheet 33` are soarranged in a recess in the printing roller 2 that the cover sheet 33Ais superimposed on the printing foil 1. A spring-loaded lever system 37is mounted on the printing roller 2, and includes a cam follower roller137, which upon engagement with a cam surface is effective to shift thesecond attaching means 32 to an open position permitting insertion andremoval of cover sheets.

A lever 34 is mounted in the frame of the machine, and is spring-loadedby a spring 35. Lever 34 has a fork-shaped end receiving a pin 136 on acam lever 35 which is turnably mounted on a shaft 23d in the frame ofthe machine. Upon operation of the manually controlled lever 34, camlever 36 is shifted to operate through cam follower 137 and levers 37,the second attaching means 32. In the open position of attaching means32, a cover sheet 33 can be placed on the stationary guiding means 38and guided into a position in which its edge is located in the openedattaching means 32, while upon operation of lever 34, the attachingmeans 32 clamp the cover sheet 32, so that the same can assume theposition illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 superimposed on the printing form1.

When the cover sheet 33 is in place, the operating means 16, see FIG. 5,is operated to render the control cam effective so that the applicatormeans are moved to the operative position illustrated in FIG. 4 in whichthe applicator roller rolls along the cover sheet 33 and applies theactivating liquid to the cover sheet so that the liquid passes throughthe cover sheet and is uniformly applied to the entire printing form.

As previously explained, the activating substances may be provided inthe cover sheet, in which event only a dissolving liquid has to beapplied by the applicator roller 4. On the other hand, the cover sheet33 can also be made of a neutral material, in which event it isnecessary to apply an activating liquid by the applicator roller 4 tothe cover sheet 33 so that such activating liquid passes through thecover sheet and activates the ink in the printing form 1.

The cover sheet is used during one or several revolutions of theprinting roller, whereupon the applicator means is moved out of itsoperative position shown in FIG. 4 to the inoperative position shown inFIG. 3. Before the printing operations on the copy sheets start, thecover sheet 33 has to be removed. Stripper means are provided in theform of a suction roller 39 which has perforations in its peripheralsurface and to whose interior suction is applied by suitable means, notshown. Suction roller 39' is mounted on a pair of arms 4-9 on pivotmeans 41 and is driven through a gear train 42, 43, 44, 4S so as torotate under control of the printing roller 2,.

A manually operated lever 46 is mounted on the frame of the machine forturning movement about pivot means 46', and is urged by a spring 47 toturn in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4. Lever 46 has acam face 14o cooperating with the cam follower roller 137. When lever tois moved to an operative position, the operating means 137 and 37 effectopening of the attaching means 32, so that the cover sheet is released.When lever lo is manually shifted to its operative position, a valve,not shown, is opened to provide. suction in the suction roller 39 sothat suction roller 39 picks up cover sheet 33t, and transports thecover sheet 33 while rotating under control of the gear train 42 to 45so that the cover sheet is removed from the printing form. In theoperative position of lever 45, as shown in FIG. 4, lever 46 is spacedfrom the stop 46u, and suction roiler 49 is shifted to a position inclose proximity with the peripheral surface of the printing roller 2,since the free ends of arms 4t) are urged by a spring 14d to movesuction roller 39 toward the printing roller. in the position of PEG. 3,the action of spring 47 has urged lever 46 to its inoperative position,effecting at the same time retraction of the suction roller 39 which isoperatively connected to lever 46.

The apparatus is operated in the following manner. The printing form issecured by attaching means .3 to the peripheral surface of the printingroller Z. The printing roller 2 is stopped in the position illustratedin FIG. 3, and by operation of lever 34, the attaching means 32 areopened and a cover sheet is inserted into the open attaching means 32,and then clamped by operation of lever 43. The printing roller 2 may berotated to superimpose the cover sheet 33 on the printing form 1.Thereupon operating member 16, see FlG. 5, is actuated to render cammeans 13 effective so that the applicator means are shifted to anoperative position in which the applicator acre/,ear

roller 4 applies a liquid to the cover sheet 33 whereby the printingform 1 is activated during several revolutions of the printing roller.

Lever 46 is now operated so that attaching means 32 releases the coversheet, and section roller 39 picks up the cover sheet and removes thesame from the printing form.

Copy sheets are now supplied to the printing line between rollers 2 and27, and moistened by roller 24 with a neutral liquid supplied bymoistening means 25. The moistened copy sheets are imprinted by theactivated ink contained in the printing form 2.

The modified embodiment of applicator means according to the presentinvention shown in FIG. 6a is advantageously employed in a duplicatingmachine of the type shown in FIGS. l and 5, and may also be combinedwith the arrangement described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. A cam 51rotates with the printing roller 2, when coupled to the same asdescribed with reference to FIG. 5, and acts on the cam follower roller19 on a pair of levers 49 which are pivotally mounted at 149. A spring50 urges the supporting means 49, 19 into engagement with cam 51. Theapplicator roller 48 is hollow and consists of a suitable porousmaterial, such as clay. The cavity in the material of the hollowapplicator roller 48 is lled with the activating liquid 7, so that theactivating liquid 7 passes through the capillary passages in the roller48 to the peripheral surface of roller 48 and is applied to the printingform 1 when applicator roller 48 moves to a position in close proximityto the surface of the printing roller 2 and into engagement with aprinting form 1. The printing operations on copy sheets carried out asdei scribed with reference to the above described embodiments of thepresent invention. It will be understood that an applicator roller 48 ofthe type used in FIG. 6a can be also used in the arrangement of FIGS. 3and 4 in which the printing form is indirectly exposed to the activatingliquid, and in this event, the applicator 48 rolls on the cover sheet,instead of on the printing form 1.

FIG. 6b illustrates a further modified embodiment in which a hollowcontainer 53 has a slot 153 through which passes an absorbent band 154which receives the activating liquid 7 at its inner portion, and is incontact with the cover sheet 33 with its outer portion which is moistdue to the capillary action in the absorbent band 154. Movablesupporting means 26a including a cam follower i9 are pivotally mountedon pivot means 2), so that the applicator 154 can be shifted by cammeans 13 to and from the operative position illustrated in FIG. 6b. Itis evident, that a sliding applicator, as shown in FIG. 6b could beprovided in the construction of FIGS. l and 2, in which no cover sheetis employed. Furthermore, if the activating substance is contained inthe layer of the cover sheet 33, the liquid 7 in container 53 can be aneutral liquid of such nature as to provide an activating liquid incover sheet 33 when coming into contact with the activating substancecontained in cover sheet 33.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also nd a `useful application in other types ofprinting methods and apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in anapparatus for activating an activatable inl; in a printing form mountedon a printing roller, it is not intended to be limited to the detailsshown, since various modifications and structural changes may be madewithout departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are 8.. intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printingroller; attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of saidprinting roller a printing form containing ink requiring moistening andactivation; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquidbefore said copy sheets are engaged by said printing form; applicatormeans adapted to contact an activating agent and being at least partlymovable to and from an operative position in close proximity to saidprinting roller for effecting application of the activating agent tosaid printing form during rotation of said printing roller so that theink in the printing form is activated; cam means including couplingmeans and being movable from an inoperative position to a coupledposition coupled to said printing roller `for rotation therewith, saidcam means in said coupled position being operatively connected to saidapplicator means for moving the same during rotation of said printingroller to and from said operative posi-tion thereof; and means forshifting said cam means between said inoperative and coupled positions.

2. .A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printingroller, attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of saidprinting roller a printing form containing ink requiring moistening andactivation; -rneans for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller;means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before saidcopy sheets are engaged by said printing form; a container forcontaining a liquid activating agent; a transfer roller for receiving atthe peripheral surface thereof said liquid activating agent; movablesupporting `means supporting said transfer roller for movement betweenan inoperative position and an operative position in rolling contactwith said printing form for applying said activating agent to saidprinting form during rotation of said printing roller so that the ink inthe printing form is activated; cam means including coupling means andbeing movable from an inoperative position to a coupled position coupledto said printing roller for rotation therewith, said cam means in saidcoupled position engaging said movable supporting means for moving saidtransfer roller and said container during rotation of said printingroller to and from said operative position; and means for shifting saidcam means between said iuoperative and coupled positions.

3. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printingroller; attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of saidprinting roller a printing form containing ink requiring moistening andactivation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller;means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before saidcopy sheets are engaged by said printing form; a container means forholding a liquid activating agent; and an applicator means including aporous absorbent material partly located in said container to bemoistened by said liquid activating agent, and having an outer portionlocated outside of said container; movable supporting means supportingsaid container with said applicator means for movement to and from aposition in which said outer portion is in contact with said printingform during rotation of said printing roller for applying the liquidactivating agent to said printing form so that the ink is activated; andmeans for moving said supporting means in synchronism with the rotationof said printing roller.

4. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printingroller; first attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface ofsaid printing roller a printing form containing inli requiring moistening and activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printingroller; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquidbefore said copy sheets are engagedby said printing form; secondattaching means for removably attaching to said printing roller a coversheet in a position adapted to cover said printing form; and applicatormeans for moistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printingroller with a liquid adapted to provide a moist activating agent in saidcover sheet acting on said printing form to activate said ink.

5. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printingroller; iirst attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface ofsaid printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moisteningand activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller;means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before saidcopy sheets are engaged by said printing form; second attaching means; acover sheet consisting of an absorbent material detachab-ly held by saidsecond attaching means in a position adapted to cover said printingform; and applicator means for applying a liquid activating agent tosaid cover sheet so that the liquid activating agent acts through saidcover sheet on said printing form to activate said ink.

6. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printingroller; first attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface ofsaid printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moisteningand activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller;means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before saidcopy sheets are engaged by said printing form; second attaching means; acover sheet consisting of an absorbent material and detachably held bysaid second attaching means in a position adapted to cover said printingform, said cover sheet containing an activating agent; and applicatormeans for moistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printingroller with a neutral liquid adapted to moisten said cover sheet andactivating agent so that said moist activating agent in said cover sheetacts on said printing form to activate said ink.

7. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printingroller; rst attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface ofsaid printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moisteningand activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller;means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before saidcopy sheets are engaged by said printing form; second attaching meansfor removably attaching to said printing roller a cover sheet in aposition adapted to cover said printing form; applicator means formoistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printing roller witha liquid adapted to provide a moist activating agent in said cover sheetacting on said printing form to activate said ink; and means forremoving said cover sheet during rotation of the printing roller.

8. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printingroller; first attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface ofsaid printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moisteningand activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller;means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before saidcopy sheets are engaged by said printing form; second attaching meansfor removably attaching to said printing roller a cover sheet in aposition adapted to cover said printing form; applicator means formoistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printing roller witha liquid adapted to provide a moist activating agent in said cover sheetacting on said printing form to activate said ink; a movable supportmovable to and from an operative position; operating means mounted onsaid printing roller and connected to said second attaching means andbeing actuated by said movable support during rotation of said printingrol-ler for effecting release of said cover sheet; means mounted on saidmovable support for engaging said cover sheet in said operative positionof said movable support during rotation of said printing roller, and fordetaching said cover sheet from said printing roller when said coversheet is released by said second attaching means.

9. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printingroller; iirst attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface ofsaid printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moisteningand activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller;means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before saidcopy sheets are engaged by said printing form; second attaching meansfor removably attaching to said printing roller a cover sheet in aposition adapted to cover said printing form; applicator means rformoistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printing roller witha liquid adapted to provide a moist activating agent in said cover sheetacting on said printing form to activate said ink; a movable supportmovable to and from an operative position; operating means mounted onsaid printing roller and connected to said second attaching means andbeing actuated by -said movable support during rotation of said printingroller for etfecting release of said cover sheet; suction means mountedon said movable support and having openings for applying suction to saidcover sheet, said suction means engaging said cover sheets in saidoperative position of said movable support during rotation of saidprinting roller, said suction means being movable for detaching saidcover sheet from said printing roller, when said cover sheet is releasedby said second attaching means.

10. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printingroller; first attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface ofsaid printing roller a printing yform containing ink requiringmoistening and activation; means for supplying copy sheets to saidprinting roller; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutralliquid before said copy sheets are engaged by said printing form; secondattaching means for removably `attaching to said printing roller a coversheet in a position adapted to cover said printing form; applicatormeans for moistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printingroller with a liquid adapted to provide a moist activating agent in saidcover sheet acting on said printing form -to activate said ink; amovable support movable to and from an loperative position; operatingmeans mounted on said printing roller and connected to said secondattaching means and being actuated by said movable support duringrotation of said printing rollerfor effecting release of said coversheet; a suction roller means turnably mounted on said movable supportand having openings for applying suction, said suction roller meansengaging said cover sheet in said operative position of said movablesupport during rotation of said printing roller; and means operativelyconnecting said printing roller With said suction roller for rotatingsaid suction roller in said operative position of said movable supportwhereby said suction roller detaches from said printing roller the coversheet held by suction when said cover sheet is released by said second.attaching means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,067,289 Ritzerfeld Ja. 12, 1937 2,068,059 Marchev Jan. 19, 19372,146,976 Neidich Feb. 14, 1939 2,660,113 Gullixson et al Nov. 24, 19532,661,686 Levin Dec. 8, 1953 2,798,427 Klimkowski July 9, 1957

1. A PRINTING MACHINE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A ROTARY PRINTINGROLLER; ATTACHING MEANS FOR ATTACHING TO THE PERIPHERAL SURFACE OF SAIDPRINTING ROLLER A PRINTING FORM CONTAINING INK REQUIRING MOISTENING ANDACTIVATION; MEANS FOR MOISTENING SAID COPY SHEETS WITH A NEUTRAL LIQUIDBEFORE SAID COPY SHEETS ARE ENGAGED BY SAID PRINTING FORM; APPLICATORMEANS ADAPTED TO CONTACT AN ACTIVATING AGENT AND BEING AT LEAST PARTLYMOVABLE TO AND FROM AN OPERATIVE POSITION IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAIDPRINTING ROLLER FOR EFFECTING APPLICATION OF THE ACTIVATING AGENT TOSAID PRINTING FORM DURING ROTATION OF SAID PRINTING ROLLER SO THAT THEINK IN THE PRINTING FORM IS ACTIVATED; CAM MEANS INCLUDING COUPLINGMEANS AND BEING MOVABLE FROM AN INOPERATIVE POSITION TO A COUPLEDPOSITION COUPLED TO SAID PRINTING ROLLER FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, SAIDCAM MEANS IN SAID COUPLED POSITION BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAIDAPPLICATOR MEANS FOR MOVING THE SAME DURING ROTATION OF SAID PRINTINGROLLER TO AND FROM SAID OPERATIVE POSITION THEREOF; AND MEANS FORSHIFTING SAID CAM MEANS BETWEEN SAID INOPERATIVE AND COUPLED POSITIONS.